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Fantastic 4.50rating (105)
  • Life On Land
Available from Jan 2027

Save Turtles in Playa Hermosa

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Dive into an experience that will stay with you forever, surrounded by nature and adventure.
  • Relax and enjoy the laid-back charm of Costa Rica’s stunning beaches, where every day feels like paradise.
  • Disconnect from the hustle and reconnect with nature as you embrace a simpler, more meaningful way of life.

Highlights

  • Dive into an experience that will stay with you forever, surrounded by nature and adventure.
  • Relax and enjoy the laid-back charm of Costa Rica’s stunning beaches, where every day feels like paradise.
  • Disconnect from the hustle and reconnect with nature as you embrace a simpler, more meaningful way of life.
  • Learn about and help protect these incredible creatures while gaining conservation experience.
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples

    About the program

    Help protecting marine turtles at a wonderful beach with breathtaking sunsets ...

    About the Program

    This National Wildlife Refuge has about 8 kilometers of beach, and is located in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica, south of Jaco and north of Manuel Antonio Beach. The camp is facing the sea, with two dorms and a beautiful sight on sunsets. The camp has several common areas, and ...

    About the program

    About the Program

    This National Wildlife Refuge has about 8 kilometers of beach, and is located in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica, south of Jaco and north of Manuel Antonio Beach. The camp is facing the sea, with two dorms and a beautiful sight on sunsets. The camp has several common areas, and relaxation and at the same time some of the best views of a surf beach. There is electricity in the area, and mobile phone reception - but no Wifi. There are no ATMs - so, you should bring enough cash from home or San José.

    The Location

    The project is at Playa Hermosa, south of Jacó, central pacific coast.

    Our Volunteers

    You should bring love for nature and fun of outdoor-living and also be prepared for sometimes physically demanding work and work at unusual hours as most of the turtle nesting occurs at night. 

    You also should be prepared for very simple living conditions as the camp doesn't have electricity. You are living very close to the beaches where turtles do their nesting, so there will be no infrastructure around and there will be sand 'everywhere' ... ;-) When you will free little turtle babies for the first time then you will be rewarded for hard work and low comfort conditions!

    Typical day

    You will work between 4-6 hours every day - and you have one day free per week.

    In the mornings you will do some work in the camp like cleaning and building new breeding grounds for the eggs (viveros). Be prepared that it might be hard work to get sand from the beach to build new breeding stations. ..

    Typical day

    You will work between 4-6 hours every day - and you have one day free per week.

    In the mornings you will do some work in the camp like cleaning and building new breeding grounds for the eggs (viveros). Be prepared that it might be hard work to get sand from the beach to build new breeding stations. Also, you will be cleaning and marking the beaches. There will be some free time around the hottest time of the day for relaxing. 

    The work starts again in the afternoon: collecting data for the turtles and protecting the eggs in safe breeding grounds (viveros), freeing new born turtle babies, nest exhumations. Starting in the late evening and throughout the night there will be patrol walks on the beach to find turtles and their nests. You will go for these patrol walks in turns with other volunteers until morning.

    Free-time activities

    You are welcome to discover the incredible nature of the area. The program offers unforgettable tours and activities in different places such as horseback riding, hiking in search of waterfalls in the Jacó forests, surf courses, rappelling and canopy... always in an incredible environment full of ...

    Free-time activities

    You are welcome to discover the incredible nature of the area. The program offers unforgettable tours and activities in different places such as horseback riding, hiking in search of waterfalls in the Jacó forests, surf courses, rappelling and canopy... always in an incredible environment full of nature and a wonderful community. We have at the rea a ping pong table and volleyball net for their entertainment.

    It is helpful to speak some Spanish - but we also speak English.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    You should have a positive attitude and, of course, love animals and simple outdoor life! Speaking Spanish is an advantage - but there are also English speaking coordinators.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    • Accommodation in a cabin, together with other volunteers under simple conditions
    • three meals - costarican diet
    • We provide airport pickup, we organize the journey to the project and we also do hostel reservations in San José if needed (mostly it is needed!) - and, if you will combine projects, we will also organize the transportation between the projects. You will have to pay the cost for the pickup and the transport.

    Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

    You will be picked up at the airport by our driver with a sign with your name and you will directly get in contact with your german, english, spanish speaking coordinator via phone. The driver will drive you to the reserved hostel (if necessary), give you the bus ticket (he will buy a ticket in advance to reserve you a seat in the bus), pick you up at the hostel the day of your journey to the project and bring you to the bus.
    The cost will be around 70 US$ plus the hostel night (between 13-15 US$ (dorm) and aprox 45 US$ (single/double room).

    Accommodation

    You will be sleeping in a volunteer house with two bedrooms - one for girls and one for boys.

    Food & Beverages

    Your food - breakfast, lunch, dinner - will be prepared in the camp and consists of the typical costarican cuisine: rice, beans, vegetables, meat and fruit.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    This program is available from July until December when the turtles nest and babies hatch. The rest of the year there is maintenance work on the camp and the beach. It starts every TUESDAY. Please arrive at least one day before the programs starts.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $376 per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    2 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.5
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers

    Location

    Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > Jacó, Playa Hermosa

    Meet your project coordinator

    Sofia
    105
    reviews
    4.50
    Fantastic
    2006
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English, Spanish, French, German
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    Volunteer Abroad  >  Animals  >  Marine Life in Costa Rica
    Contact Sofia
      Very high response rate
    English, Spanish, French, German

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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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    Price details